Breeders Cup Betting Update

Following Ouija Board’s impressive comeback victory in the Princess Royal Stakes at Newmarket on September 24, last season’s champion filly has been installed as the 5-2 favourite by VCBet to retain her Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Belmont Park this month.

Ed Dunlop’s stable star was essentially making her seasonal reappearance, as she lost a shoe and sustained a minor injury in her only other racecourse appearance this season, which was in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot at York in June. She then missed her next two intended targets owing to a cough, but appeared to be regaining the zest she so emphatically displayed on numerous occasions last season and, as such, she’s a worthy favourite.

Next in the market at 3-1 with Paddy Power, is the French-trained filly Shawanda, whose price will surely contract somewhat if she wins or goes close in the Arc de Triomphe on October 2.

She came through her Arc trial, the Prix Vermeille, in flying colours and, should she clash with Ouija Board, it will be a race to saviour.

Azamour, meanwhile, currently heads the betting for the Breeders’ Cup Turf, currently on offer at 4-1 with VCBet.

John Oxx’s charge sustained a minor back injury in the Irish Champion Stakes at the beginning of September and is certain to miss the Arc now and will probably go straight to Belmont for this contest without a prep run.

One thing that will certainly be in Azamour’s favour is the ground, as he relishes a fast surface, something which he’s nigh on sure to get at Belmont. If back to the peak of his powers, which saw him land the Prince of Wales’s Stakes and the King George VI Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes during the summer, he will be a force to be reckoned with.

Current Arc favourite Hurricane Run is currently a 5-1 shot for the race with VCBet, a price he shares with runaway Arlington Million hero Powerscourt, who appears to improve about a stone when racing in the US, compared to when pitched into Group One company in Europe. The latter is 6-1 with Coral, however.

 Then at 8-1 with both firms is Derby winner Motivator, although there must be a question mark over his likely participation given the prospect of fast ground, a factor which may also count against Bago, who also trades at 8-1 with Coral.

Starcraft and Dubawi, first and second in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Newmarket recently, are 7-2 and 4-1 respectively for the Breeders’ Cup Mile with Coral, behind crack American miler Leroidesanimaux, who is 7-4 market leaders. 

The mare Soviet Song is 10-1, along with the enigmatic Rakti, while the French-trained duo Valixir and Whipper are 12-1 and 16-1 respectively, also with Coral.

The Barking-based firm have the brilliant American horse Saint Liam in as 7-4 jolly for the big one, the Breeders’ Cup Classic, a race that overseas raiders habitually find extremely tough.

 Oratorio, winner of the Coral-Eclipse Stakes and the Irish Champion Stakes, is 10-1, along with Starcraft.